Charges in Mississippi allege false claims in Watts’ client list related to litigation with BP over the 2010 oil spill. Watts vows to fight the charges.

This undated photo released by the Watt Senate campaign shows San Antonio attorney Mikal Watts who hopes to challenge Texas' junior Sen. John Cornyn in 2008. Watts filed the 22-page financial disclosure forms with the Senate last week. By contributing millions of his own money, Watts was able to show potential contributors his seriousness in running and gave him a head-start against candidates who are less well-funded. (AP Photo/Watts Campaign) ** NO SALES ** less

This undated photo released by the Watt Senate campaign shows San Antonio attorney Mikal Watts who hopes to challenge Texas' junior Sen. John Cornyn in 2008. Watts filed the 22-page financial disclosure forms ... more

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This undated photo released by the Watt Senate campaign shows San Antonio attorney Mikal Watts who hopes to challenge Texas' junior Sen. John Cornyn in 2008. Watts filed the 22-page financial disclosure forms with the Senate last week. By contributing millions of his own money, Watts was able to show potential contributors his seriousness in running and gave him a head-start against candidates who are less well-funded. (AP Photo/Watts Campaign) ** NO SALES ** less

This undated photo released by the Watt Senate campaign shows San Antonio attorney Mikal Watts who hopes to challenge Texas' junior Sen. John Cornyn in 2008. Watts filed the 22-page financial disclosure forms ... more

Photo: AP

Democratic San Antonio stalwart Mikal Watts indicted

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A federal grand jury in Mississippi has indicted nationally recognized plaintiff's lawyer and Democratic stalwart Mikal Watts of San Antonio, his brother and contract employees on charges of making false claims and identity theft in relation to the litigation involving BP over the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the San Antonio Express-News has confirmed.

The charges stem from allegations that Watts fraudulently bolstered the number of clients he had with claims against BP to get a seat on a steering committee, an elite group of lawyers appointed to manage the plaintiff's side of the litigation.

Lawyers on such committees typically reap a financial bonanza for their efforts. Watts helped negotiate a $2.3 billion settlement against BP, a chunk of that for fishermen and deckhands that he purported to represent.

At one point, Watts claimed to represent more than 44,000 clients.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Misssissippi would not confirm the indictment Wednesday. Other sources confirmed to the Express-News that it came down last week, but it is still under seal because the defendants have yet to appear in court. In many federal courts, indictments are unsealed once a defendant makes an initial appearance. The Watts brothers are expected for initial appearances in Mississippi as soon as next week, the Express-News confirmed.

“After years of waiting, I will now have my day in court,” Mikal Watts said in a statement provided Wednesday by his lawyer, Rob McDuff of Mississippi. “I look forward to a speedy trial and the opportunity to prove to a jury that I am not guilty of any crimes. I have spent my professional life working hard to protect the rights of those victimized by corporations like BP. When this trial is over, I look forward to getting back on the job, and to working for years to come.”

The Express-News first reported in February 2013 that the Secret Service, which besides protecting the president, also investigates allegations of identity theft and fraud, had been investigating the Watts firm after they raided his San Antonio law offices.

Mikal Watts resigned from the steering committee after the criminal investigation became public, saying he did not want the matter to be a distraction.

Besides noteworthy wins as a plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mikal Watts is also known as a Democratic kingmaker, having contributed and raised thousands for candidates for the bench, mayor, City Council, the Legislature, governor, Congress and the White House.

In July 2012, he hosted a fundraiser for Democrats at the Convention Center that drew more than 1,200 people who paid $250 each for a chance to see President Barack Obama.

That gala occurred before Watts and 75 guests — including Mayor Julián Castro, U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, former Mayor and HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros and actress Eva Longoria — gathered at Watts' home in the Dominion for a private, $35,800-a-plate fundraiser held in his then-home’s gymnasium.

Three months after the federal investigation was made public, Watts deeded the 11-bedroom home in The Dominion to his wife. Last year, she put the home on the market for about $12 million. The house has not changed ownership, according to Bexar County Appraisal District records.

To read more details about the indictment, read ExpressNews.com or Thursday's print edition.